Day three of Glorious Goodwood sees the track host an eight-race card on Thursday, 31st July. Each contest is set to be a cracker and to try and find winners across the day, GG tipster Joe Napier has four best bets.
1.20 Goodwood – Coral Kincsem Handicap
There are multiple trappy handicaps exclusive to three-year-olds on Thursday, but this 1m2f contest may be among the easier to solve courtesy of PAROLE D’ORO, who has been denied the last twice in unfortunate circumstances.
The chances are that he would have finished much closer in the Britannia Stakes when eighth of 30 despite only getting the room to race after it was too late. He was then short-headed at Newmarket’s July meeting, but there have been numerous winners emerging from that festival already this week and he could well be another.
Up 2lb for that second-placed effort, he also steps up in trip to 1m2f, but that looks a positive given how strong he has been through the line the last twice, while there is also hope in his pedigree that he will appreciate it too. Ryan Moore is called up too, which is invariably a positive.
2.30 Goodwood – HKJC World Pool Gordon Stakes (Group 3)
Merchant’s victory in the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot got boosted no end by the runner-up filling the same position in the Irish Derby, but with the exception of rank outsider Too Soon, his other five rivals all have significant Group race form in the book, some of which has come in hot contests.
The chief danger could be RAHIEBB for Roger Varian. The son of Frankel has been very consistent in his career so far, including when second to Merchant at York two starts back. He was conceding him 8lb that day though and has subsequently proven himself a very useful performer when third in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot over 1m6f.
He possibly bottomed out in terms of stamina within the final 100 yards, so the drop back to 1m4f looks the right move, and the likes of Curragh Cup runner-up Shackleton, and Tuesday’s Goodwood Cup winner Scandinavia, were in behind him that day. With that pull in the weights and progression having been sustained since his debut, he could turn that York form around.
4.20 Goodwood – Phase Eight Nursery Handicap
As is the nature of nursery handicaps for two-year-olds, potential abounds, which is probably why four of the last five winners of this have gone off at double-figure odds. There could be another such victor this year with STEEL DRUM looking especially interesting for Eve Johnson Houghton.
The yard’s juveniles have been going well, operating at a 16% strike rate comfortably above the career average for Johnson Houghton of 11%. The likes of Zavateri prove she has some useful ammunition among her younger ranks and the selection here, while not as forward as the aforementioned Group 2 scorer, has shaped more promisingly with each of his four starts.
He still did not look the finished article when behind two of today’s rivals at Chester last time, but he was strong through the finish under Georgia Dobie, who keeps the ride. If he continues to learn, he will prove better than his handicap mark of 72, so with a swing at the weights with his Chester conquerors, there could easily be more to come from him.
4.55 Goodwood – Tatler British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes
Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy teamed up to win the maiden on Tuesday and DICTAL looks capable of landing Thursday’s. It is an open contest, but her profile is attractive.
Of the 15 in Tuesday’s race, seven had raced twice before and but for Yachtsman finishing eighth, they would have been the first seven home. Previous racecourse experience proved king and Dictal is the only filly in this race who has run on two occasions, finishing fourth at Windsor and third at Newbury.
Although she was turned over at odds-on last time, it was still a respectable effort, while the winner of the Windsor maiden has since been placed at Group level. The daughter of Frankel should appreciate stepping up to 7f here and her extremely strong pedigree suggests she should be winning races sooner rather than later.
Looking For More Racing Info? Check Out Our Racecards & Top Tips Sections
Make sure you’re following us on all our social media platforms to keep up to date with all the latest horse racing news and the best tips.